Mtawarira to start for the Sharks against Waratahs

Tendai Mtawarira played the last two matches off the bench for the Sharks. Photo: Gerhard Steenkamp/BackpagePix

DURBAN – The Sharks have made four changes to their team to face the Waratahs on Saturday due to injury and resting players.

In the forwards, Tendai Mtawarira starts after coming off the bench two weeks ago against the Lions, and he is joined in the pack by Tyler Paul, who replaced Philip van der Walt, the flank suffering from an ankle ligament sprain.

In the backs, first-choice scrumhalf and recently-capped Springbok Louis Schreuder is back after an injury sustained in the warm-ups.

The other change comes on the wing, with Kobus van Wyk starting in the place of Makazole Mapimpi, who is being rested.

“We’ve got over the disappointment of the loss against the Lions and instead we chose to take the positives from that game forward. Training over the last two weeks has gone well, with great intensity at sessions.

“Emphasis was placed on areas we needed to work on, and the players are committed to getting things right,” coach Robert du Preez said.

“The Waratahs are a good team and have some dangerous players across the park. We need to concentrate on our game plan and manage key areas to nullify their threats.

“Playing at home is always special, and we hope that the KZN public will come out and support their team. We will do our best to make our fans proud.”